President Donald Trump has pledged rapid American assistance to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck near the country’s northern coast, causing widespread destruction and prompting officials to declare a state of emergency.
The back-to-back earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, reportedly caused significant damage in and around Caracas, flattening buildings and leaving emergency crews scrambling to search for survivors.
Trump Promises Swift U.S. Assistance
In a statement posted Wednesday evening, Trump said the United States was prepared to help Venezuela recover from the disaster.
“The U.S. stands ready, willing, and able to help,” Trump wrote, adding that he had instructed federal agencies to prepare to move quickly with assistance efforts.
He also referred to the Venezuelan people as America’s “new and great friends” while expressing support for those affected by the catastrophe.
Emergency Response Underway
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said U.S. officials were already coordinating with Venezuelan authorities and working to mobilize aid.
According to senior State Department official Jeremy Lewin, a disaster assistance team and emergency task force have been activated to help deliver critical resources.
The planned assistance includes search-and-rescue teams, medical supplies, humanitarian aid, and logistical support for recovery operations.
Casualties Continue to Rise
Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, declared a national state of emergency following the earthquakes.
Initial reports indicated that at least 32 people had been killed and approximately 700 injured, though officials warned the numbers could rise as rescue crews reach heavily damaged areas.
Rodríguez later thanked the United States and several other nations for offering support during the crisis.
International Aid Arrives
In addition to U.S. assistance, Rodríguez said rescue teams from the Dominican Republic were already on the way.
She also announced that China and Brazil had provided humanitarian aid, while Qatar had prepared a specialized rescue brigade expected to arrive shortly.
The growing international response reflects the scale of the disaster, which officials describe as one of the strongest earthquake events to strike Venezuela in more than a century.
Experts Warn of Severe Impact
The U.S. Geological Survey issued consecutive red alerts through its earthquake monitoring system following the quakes.
Early estimates suggested a significant risk of large-scale casualties and major economic disruption.
Experts also warned that the damage could have a lasting impact on Venezuela’s economy, with recovery efforts expected to take months or even years.
Venezuela sits in a seismically active region where the Caribbean Plate meets the South American Plate, making the country vulnerable to major earthquakes.
As emergency crews continue searching through damaged areas, officials say the focus remains on rescuing survivors and providing immediate assistance to affected communities.
